A DREAM BUILT ON PASSION

In 1956, Martin Cohen, a young mechanical engineer and avid photographer from the Bronx happened upon New York's famous Birdland jazz club. He walked in and was immediately captivated by the sound and energy of Latin jazz. Martin Cohen was so taken with the infectious music that he immersed himself in the 1960's Latin music scene, and soon wanted his own set of bongos. Unfortunately, due to trade embargoes, high quality, Cuban-made bongos were unavailable in the United States, so Cohen's passion compelled him to put his engineering skills to use and create his own set of bongos. After months of study, Martin Cohen had successfully built what would eventually be heralded as the finest bongos the world had ever seen.

In 1964, Martin Cohen founded Latin Percussion and was soon delivering bongos, cowbells and other instruments in brown paper bags to musicians, soliciting their feedback and using the Latin nightclubs as his research and development lab. Cohen's self-described "love affair" with Latin music established a tradition still practiced at LP; the needs of performing musicians are placed ahead of everything else.

For half a century, LP has created and patented hundreds of musical instruments that have been featured in thousands of the world's most famous, chart-topping recordings – from classic salsa to classic rock. In fact, Latin Percussion is such an essential part of so many musical genres, it's nearly impossible to turn on a radio or listen to a playlist and not hear an LP instrument.

Today, Latin Percussion instruments are put to the test by professional and amateur musicians throughout the world. Year after year, Martin Cohen's legacy continues, as LP's talented research and development team continues working with the world's greatest percussionists to invent and develop generations of new and exciting instruments.

It's hard to believe that there was a time not too long ago that in order to get a decent set of bongo drums in America you would have to violate international trade embargos. But that was basically the way things were before Latin Percussion burst on the scene. As a beloved builder of Latin drums, Latin Percussion has made incredible strides in bringing these wonderfully percussive instruments into the mainstream.

Latin Percussion was founded by Martin Cohen in 1964 after one unforgettable night at New York City's Birdland club. On that night, Cohen heard the legendary Cal Tjader unleash his hot Latin bongo beats, and his world was changed forever. Cohen set out searching for a pair of bongos of his own, but quickly found them difficult to find thanks to trade sanctions against Cuba. Undeterred, Cohen decided to build a set of bongos, and after a little (okay, a lot of) tinkering, Latin Percussion was born.

As time has gone on, Latin Percussion has expanded its line to include more than just bongos. If you're interested in Congas, for example, have a look at the LPA646 Aspire Conga Set with Double Stand. These oak congas offer a rich tone, while being easy enough to carry to and from gigs. If you're looking for top notch percussion at an unbeatable price, you can't go wrong with these congas.

The LP234A Standard Wood Afuche/Cabasa is another great option for any versatile percussionist. With a solid wood and steel construction, the afuche/cabasa is full of unique tone that is definitely going to get people grooving. Whether you're an old pro or a budding hobbyist, the afuche/cabasa is a great addition to your percussive arsenal.

And those are only two of the hundreds of options you'll find in this section. As a company that has always been driven by their passion for the music, Latin Percussion knows what it takes to make the rhythm come alive like no one else. Once you spice up your kit with Latin Percussion gear, you'll start taking your drumming in exciting directions you've never explored before.